Brandwave

Coca-Cola vs Dr Pepper:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper were level in searches among soda brands in the United States, with an estimated 368K branded searches each, at 20.5% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about soda brands, Dr Pepper appeared in four of the five answers and Coca-Cola in three. Coca-Cola was mentioned before Dr Pepper in three out of four answers that named either.

Among soda brands in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper are searched for about as often as each other.

Coca-Cola 368K searchesDr Pepper 368K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Dr Pepper, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Coca-Cola in 3

Dr Pepper in 4 of 5Coca-Cola in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Coca-Cola, named ahead of Dr Pepper in 3 of 4 answers

Coca-Cola first in 3Dr Pepper first in 1

Follow Coca-Cola vs Dr Pepper and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top soda brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Dr Pepper was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Coca-Cola was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Coca-Cola was listed before Dr Pepper in three out of four answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Coca-Cola1st
  2. Dr Pepper2nd
  3. Pepsi3rd
  4. OLIPOP4th
  5. Sprite5th
  6. Poppi6th
  7. Mountain Dew7th
  8. Zevia8th
  9. Fanta9th
  10. Crush10th
  11. +4 more

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Dr Pepper4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Pepsi4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Coca-Cola3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Sprite3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • OLIPOP3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Poppi3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Mountain Dew2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Fanta2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Zevia2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Crush2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

+4 more

See every answer about soda brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 27, 2026.

Is Coca-Cola or Dr Pepper more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 14 soda brands we track, month by month, from searches in United States.

Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper among soda brands in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthCoca-ColaDr PepperPepsiSpriteMountain DewOLIPOPPoppiFantaBarq's7UpA&W Root BeerCanada DryZeviaCrush
Oct 202523.2%23.2%10.4%8.5%7%8.5%5.7%3.8%2.1%1.7%2.1%1.4%1.7%0.76%
Nov 202523.3%23.3%10.4%8.5%5.7%8.5%7%3.1%2.1%2.1%2.1%1.7%1.4%0.63%
Dec 202525.3%20.7%9.3%9.3%6.2%9.3%6.2%3.4%2.3%1.9%2.3%1.9%1.5%0.68%
Jan 202623.1%18.9%10.3%8.5%5.7%10.3%8.5%3.1%2.1%2.1%2.5%2.1%2.1%0.76%
Feb 202620.5%20.5%11.2%9.2%6.1%9.2%7.5%2.8%2.3%2.8%3.4%1.8%1.8%1%
Mar 202623%18.8%10.3%8.4%6.9%8.4%6.9%3.1%2.5%1.7%5.6%1.7%2.1%0.75%
Apr 202619.3%23.6%10.5%10.5%7.1%7.1%7.1%3.2%2.6%1.7%3.2%1.7%1.7%0.78%
May 202621.3%21.3%9.5%7.8%11.6%7.8%6.4%3.5%2.3%1.9%2.9%1.6%1.6%0.7%
Jun 202622.6%15.1%12.3%10.1%8.3%8.3%6.8%3%3%2%3.7%2%1.7%0.91%
Jul 202624.5%13.4%11%11%7.3%9%6%3.3%3.3%2.2%3.3%2.2%2.2%1.2%
Aug 202623%18.8%10.3%10.3%10.3%6.9%5.6%3.1%2.5%2.5%2.5%1.7%1.7%0.92%
Sep 202620.5%20.5%13.7%9.2%7.5%7.5%5%4.1%2.8%2.3%2.3%1.8%1.8%0.83%

How has the Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Dr Pepper took it in April 2026, Coca-Cola took it in June 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Coca-Cola’s share of searches among soda brands in the United States moved from 23.2% to 20.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 450K to 368K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Dr Pepper’s share of searches among soda brands in the United States moved from 23.2% to 20.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 450K to 368K.

How did search popularity change for United States soda brands in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Dr Pepper gained share of searches among soda brands in the United States, from 18.8% to 20.5%.

  2. In September 2026, Coca-Cola lost share of searches among soda brands in the United States, from 23% to 20.5%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Coca-Cola’s and Dr Pepper’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Coca-Cola

1 branded search term

  • coca cola

Dr Pepper

1 branded search term

  • dr pepper

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among soda brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.